Knee-warmer.



D. L. GALBRAITH.

KNEE WARMER. APPLICATION FILED APR. 11, 1908.

Patented July 13, 1909.

INVENTOR I WITNESSES:

BY M 0 4 ATT RNEY 09 (BMW unsoamvuzns, wnsnncmu u a DAVID L. GALBRAITI-I, OF BAY CITY, MICHIGAN.

KNEE WAEMER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed April 11, 1908.

latented July 13, 1909.

Serial N0. 426,531.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, DAVID L. Gxnnnxrru, a citizen of the United States, residing at Bay City, in the county of Bay and State of Ivlichigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Knee-\Va1'1ners; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it. appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to knee warmers for preventing rheumatism and similar diseases.

()nc object is the provision of a kneewariner which can be worn without interfering with the knee action.

Another object is to provide a knee warmer which combines ease, comfort and durability.

Still another object is to provide a simple, inexpensive article of this nature which will effectually exclude the cold.

I have devised a knee warmer arranged that it will not bunch up under the knee of the wearer when he is sitting or stooping.

I ha vc also devised a knee warmer which is so arranged that no tightness or discomfort is felt by the wearer and the knee action unimpeded.

To these and other ends, my invention coliin certain novel ftllilll'QS and combinations, such as will be more fully described hereinafter and particularly pointed out in the claim.

In the accon'ipanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side view showing the warmer applied to the knee of a. wearer; Fig. 2 is a side view of the warmer removed; Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view of the cover seam inside the warmer.

The knee warmer comprises a knitted body-portion of textile material, as wool for instance (1), to the opposite ends of which are sewed the knitted cutt's (2) (2). The body portion is especially designed to fitover and thoroughly cover the knee of the wearer. To this end, the body portion is knit so that it is wider in front than in the back, the upper and lower edges of the body converging toward each other. This form provides a broad cap covering the knee, which covering is reduced in width as it passes around each side of the knee until it forms a comparatively narrow band which lies under the knee joint. By shaping the body portion in this manner the knee can be bent. at the joint; without discomfort, no

bnnching or objectionable folding of the band being formed. It is also necessary, however, to provide. a. body portion capable of expansion and contraction so that itwill stretch easily when the knee is bent without tightening on the knee or straining. To this end, I preferably form the band of Derby ribbing, the ribs of which extend horizontally around the knee to admit of expansion when the knee is bent, the ribbing contract.- ing to its original position when the leg is straightened.

In order to exclude the cold or drafts from striking the knee, I make the body portion in two distinct thicknesses, which inclose an air space, as shown in Fig. 3. This air space, as is well known, serves as an insulator for heat; and, cold as well.

The cntt's (2) are preferably knit in the style technically known as Swiss ribbing, such ribbing being extremely elastic and extending vertically of the cuffs and at approximate right angles to the rib in the central body portion. These cults are sewed to opposite end edges of the central body portion (1). The end edges of the body portion are, however, longer than the calls so that it. becomes necessary to tuck in or gather the body portion as it is sewed to the cuffs, the tucks forming folds or gathers (3) (3) and at the same time the end edges of the cuffs are slightly stretched so as to correspond in width to the body.

It will be seen that in pulling the knee warmer into place on the leg, the cuffs must be arranged to stretch laterally. hen the knee is bent the body portion must stretch vertically or at approximate right angles to the stretching action of the cults.

The seams formed at the connected edges of the culls and body portion might ravel out or stitches might be dropped, thereby allowing the warmer to rip apart. Also the raw edges of the seams tend to irritate delicate skin. To avoid these disadvantages and produce a durable article, I preferably cover the raw edges of the seams lying on the inside of the article, as shown at (l) in Fig. 3, concealing such edges and making a permanent seam.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new is- The combiinitiouinaknitted knee warmer formed wholly of textile material, of an imporforalc body portion formed of substantially horizontally extending ribs, the body turned in and overcast to conceal the raw 10 edges.

In testimony whereof, I afiix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

DAVID L. GALBRAITH.

portion being Widest in front and being reduced to a narrow band under the knee, cufis secured to the opposite end edges of the body portion, the cufis formed of substantially vertical ribbing, the end edges of 1 the body portion being longer than the end I i l Witnesses:

GEO. E. STEBBINS, F. N. GALBRAITII.

edges of the cuffs, gathers formed in the body portion at the meeting edges of the cuffs therewith, the meeting edges being 

